Respect Life Program: Coffee & Conversation

"Coffee and Conversation" is a model for individual reflection or small group discussion where participants can explore the various topics presented in this year's Respect Life Program.

This guide can be used in whatever way is most helpful – to guide personal reflection, to plan and host a one-time group event, to put on a 7-week series, etc. There is no "one-size-fits-all" formula to using this guide, but here are a few suggestions to help you get started.*

* These suggestions are just to provide some ideas for parish,
school, or personal use. Be sure to follow the parish and diocesan
policies in place, especially safe environment policies. If you have any
questions about applicable policies, contact your parish, school,
diocese, and/or other relevant authoritative entity.

Preparation for a Small Group Discussion

How? Obtain the approval of your pastor, and collaborate with other parish groups.

Note: The moderator should prepare for the discussion in advance by reading the pertinent article, reflecting on the questions, and educating themselves on the Church's teaching on that topic. (The USCCB has many helpful resources, such as articles and an online version of the Catechism.)

When? Designate a date and time appropriate for the intended audience.

Where? Pick a location where the event can take place (for example, a
local coffee shop, the
parish hall, etc.

Depending on the amount of time available, read one or more of the Scripture verses suggested either silently or aloud.

Discuss each question. (To encourage an environment suited for group sharing, you may consider breaking into small groups of 12 or fewer if there are a large number of people in attendance.)

Consider, share, and discuss how the Church's teaching affects our everyday lives and how we can be "the salt of the earth" and "the light of the world" (Mt. 5:13,14) in each of the areas discussed. Commit (aloud or privately) to do one thing that helps yourself and/or others on their journey toward Heaven. Use one of the resolutions provided, or come up with one on your own.

Love, Sex, and Sterilization

Why is it harmful to separate the "life-giving"
aspect of sex from the "love-making"
aspect?

How does sterilization close the door to a
fruitful marriage? Why is this contrary to
God's plan for life and love?

What are some ways that we can learn to
trust God more deeply? Particularly in our
marriages and our family lives?

Outside of physically bearing children, how
can couples build fruitful marriages? What
are some characteristics of a fruitful marriage?
(It may help to think of couples that
you know.)

Think of a time when you felt called to follow
a challenging path. Did you walk down
that road? If so, what did you learn in the
process? How might these life lessons apply
to Christ's call to trust him within this area
of our marriages, or regarding any Church
teaching we might find difficult to understand
and embrace?

Make a resolution:

Pray for couples who struggle with the Church's teaching on the fruitful aspect of married love, and pray for all married couples to love each other more perfectly—with their whole hearts, minds, and bodies.

If you are married, choose one way you will intentionally seek to reveal God's love through your marriage.

Reflect upon some of your own life experiences when you took the more challenging road. What did God give you through those experiences?

Supporting Families Who
Receive a Prenatal Diagnosis

What are some of the effects that a prenatal
diagnosis may have on a family?

In these cases, why is abortion not the
answer? What further negative effects might
an abortion have on the situation?

How does perinatal hospice help to affirm
the dignity of the child and the parents?

Why is it important to pay attention to the
way we try to support people in difficult situations?
What are some words and actions
that might be helpful? What are some words
and actions that would be unhelpful?

What are concrete ways that we can support
a family who is facing a prenatal diagnosis?

Make a resolution:

Pray the Rosary for families who are suffering
the loss of their child.

Spend time with a friend, family, or community
member who has lost a child. Make
15
them a "care" basket, or simply write a card
or note, letting them know of your support,
love and prayers.

Look into local perinatal hospice opportunities
and promote them in your parish and
community. If one doesn't exist, research
opportunities to start one.
″ Volunteer with a perinatal hospice opportunity
or at a NICU center.

10 Ways to Support Her When
She's Unexpectedly Expecting

Why is it important to be supportive of a
woman who is facing an unexpected pregnancy,
even if the circumstances are difficult?
What are some ways that we can avoid
passing judgment and instead, be supportive
of those who find themselves with an unexpected
pregnancy?

Why is every life worth celebrating, no matter
how it began?

How might supporting a woman facing an
unexpected pregnancy look different in different
situations (i.e., a teenager versus a
married mother of 5, a well-off woman versus
someone who is struggling to make ends
meet, etc.)?

What are some ways you can support mothers
who are unexpectedly pregnant in your
own community?

Make a resolution:

Donate time, money, or resources to a local
crisis pregnancy center.

Pray at an abortion clinic for all those who
are facing unexpected pregnancies, or look
into sidewalk counseling.

What are some aspects of chastity that I
find particularly difficult to live out? How
can I learn more about them and live them
more fully?

What challenges does modern media (movies,
TV shows, music, etc.) present to living
a chaste lifestyle? How can we protect our
minds and hearts from being flooded with
messages contrary to the truth about ourselves,
love, and God?

Who inspires me to live a chaste life? What
qualities does this person have that I want to
have? What can I do to be like that person in
those ways?

Make a resolution:

Pray for a deeper understanding of the virtue
of chastity; ask God how he is calling you to
live a pure life.

Limit the amount of media you consume
daily; get rid of TV shows, movies, magazines,
books, etc. that hinder a chaste lifestyle.

Assess your wardrobe: If your clothes don't
reflect a person who is trying to live a chaste
life, get rid of them.

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